Edge protector

ABSTRACT

An edge protector includes first and second face portions arranged at an angle relative to one another. One of the face portions includes a pair of locking tabs extending from the upper surface of that face portion, which are effective to engage and secure the edge protector to a binding material, such a steel band, during use. The other face portion can have a pair of path guides extending from the upper surface thereof to guide the binding material over the other face portion. By securing the edge protector to the binding material, scattering loose edge protectors over the floors of factories or steel mills is largely circumvented, and a work hazard avoided. Also, if the edge protector and the binding material are made from the same or from recyclably compatible materials, then they can be recycled together.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplications Ser. No. 60/612,375 filed Sep. 23, 2004 and No. 60/621,235filed Oct. 22, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to an edge protector and moreparticularly to a metal edge protector comprising tabs that ensure theedge protector remains secured to strapping or banding commonly used tobind together items or goods.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

In the storage and transport of goods, such as rolls of steel or steelcoils, sheets of glass or sheets of metal, bands or straps often made ofsteel are commonly used to bind together such goods. Similarly, rope,wire or plastic bands can also be used to bind such goods together. Theuse of straps or bands to hold together goods presents severaldisadvantages. Goods bound with metal bands often have damage near theedges adjacent where the band wraps around the edge of the banded goodsbecause the tension of the band can compress or crush the goods at suchedges, where the goods are most vulnerable. For example, a metal bandcan scratch, chip or dent the edge of the goods if the band is securedtightly around the goods. Alternatively, the band may itself becomedamaged by the goods. For example, if rope or plastic banding is used toband goods together, a sharp edge of the goods may fray or cut thebanding, thereby resulting in its breaking or snapping.

Edge protectors are commonly used in the industry to protect the edgesof goods from damage caused by bands or straps secured around the goodsunder high tension. Similarly, edge protectors also protect banding frombecoming damaged by the goods that are banded together. While edgeprotectors consisting of simple L-shaped pieces have been employed toprotect against damage to goods, these edge protectors have not beenentirely satisfactory. Edge protectors can become easily displacedduring installation of straps or bands, particularly while the bands arebeing fitted into place, before the final tension is applied. Since thebanding is usually relatively rigid and does not initially fit tightlyaround the stack or goods, the L-shaped edge protectors will not stay inplace and regularly are pushed out of position as the band is beingfitted to and tensioned around the goods. Furthermore, when such bands,which are secured to the banded goods under high tension, are releasedor cut from around the goods, the edge protectors fall to the floor andoften litter the surrounding area. Alternatively, they can be launchedinto the surrounding area from the band snapping at high speed once itis cut and the tension is release. In addition to presenting asignificant danger to personnel in the vicinity from flying metalobjects, edge protectors scattered about the floor also are a serioussafety hazard that can cause damage, workplace accidents and a host ofother problems.

Accordingly, there is a need for an edge protector that can be easilysecured to banding during installation and that can be moved along thelength of the banding if needed to align with an edge of the bandedgoods. There is also a need for an edge protector that will not belaunched or scattered on the floor on cutting or removal of ahigh-tension band.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An edge protector is provided, which has a first face portion and asecond face portion extending at an angle from the first face portion. Apair of locking tabs extend from an upper surface of the second faceportion from respective base edges of the locking tabs. The base edgesof the locking tabs are spaced apart to accommodate a band therebetweenover the upper surface of the second face portion in use. The secondface portion is substantially continuous and intact in a region betweenthe locking tabs.

A combination of an edge protector secured to a length of bindingmaterial also is provided. The edge protector includes a first faceportion and a second face portion extending at an angle from the firstface portion. A pair of locking tabs extend from an upper surface of thesecond face portion. The locking tabs are engaged over the bindingmaterial to secure it to the edge protector. The edge protector and thebinding material are made from the same material or from materials thatare compatible for recycling.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a roll or coil 10 that is heldtogether by four bands 12, 14, 16, 18, wherein edge protectors as hereindescribed are employed.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a sheet stack 42 on a pallet48, which stack is secured to the pallet by two bands 44, 46, whereinedge protectors as herein described are employed.

FIG. 3 illustrates an edge protector 60 as herein described positionedbetween an edge of a coil or stack of goods and a band 74 used to securethe goods wrapped around the edge.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the edge protector 60 of FIG. 3, prior tobeing bent into an angle or L-shape.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the edge protector 60 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the edge protector 60 taken alongline 6-6 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the edge protector 60 taken alongline 7-7 in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTON

In the description that follows, when a preferred range such as 5 to 25(or 5-25) is given, this means preferably at least 5 and, separately andindependently, preferably not more than 25.

It is understood that the edge protector as discussed herein ispreferably made of metal such as 0.029 gage steel. More preferably, theedge protector is coated (i.e. galvanized or plated) metal to preventrusting. Alternatively, the edge protector can comprise plastic or othercomposite materials. As will be clear below, if the edge protector isplastic or another composite material, the tabs (described below) of theedge protector should be composed of a material that can be bent ortapped down over a band without snapping off. For example, many plasticsare rigid and inflexible and would break if bent from a verticalposition to a horizontal position as is desirable of the tabs discussedherein.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a conventional coil 10 of steelthat is held together by four conventional steel binding straps or bands12, 14, 16, 18. The coil can also be plastic or any other material thatcan be transported in the form of a coil. Each band 12, 14, 16, 18extends longitudinally through the center or eye 40 of the coil andaround the outside in a conventional manner. At each location where asteel band rests over or wraps around an edge of the coil 10, there isan edge protector between the band and the edge of the coil 10 toprotect the coil 10 from being damaged by the band. The edge protectorsalso aid in keeping the bands in position so they do not slide laterallyover the edge protectors and onto the coil 10 at the coil edges. Theedge protectors are secured tightly over the edge of the coil by thetension in the associated band. As known in the art, an annular plasticeye protector can be placed in the eye 40 at each end of the coil toprotect the steel coil 10 from the steel band, but the plastic eyeprotector is expensive and not composed of steel. Accordingly, edgeprotectors are preferred to protect the coil edge at the eye 40 (such asvia edge protectors 24, 34, 38 and 30) in addition to the edge locatedat the outside of the coil (such as via edge protectors 22, 32, 36, 28).

With reference to FIG. 2, there is shown a stack of material sheets 42positioned on a pallet 48. The sheets 42 can be or comprise metal,glass, plastic or any other materials appropriate for shipping instacks. The bands 44, 46 extend around the stack of the sheets 42 andthrough an open center portion of the pallet 48 on which the sheets 42are stacked as known in the art. The bands are locked into place viatensioning similarly as described above. When tensioned, the bands 44,46 hold together the stack of sheets 42 while simultaneously securingthe stack to the pallet 48. In the illustrated embodiment, four edgeprotectors 50, 52, 56, 58 are visible and secured by and guide the bands44, 46 around the edges of the stack. Additional edge protectors alsocan be provided to protect the edges not visible in FIG. 2. Of course,the number of edge protectors used to protect the edges of particulargoods, such as the coil or the stack shown respectively in FIGS. 1 and2, will depend on the nature of the goods, the number and the placementof bands it is desired to employ, the tension to be drawn on the bandswhen secured around the goods, the number and fragility of the edgesaround which the bands will be wrapped, etc. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that additional loops of banding can be used as deemedappropriate, and that additional edge protectors also can be used toguide such banding around the edges of the goods and to protect thoseedges from damage. The number and arrangement of the edge protectorsshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are merely illustrative.

The edge protectors are further explained and illustrated with referenceto FIG. 3, where a representative edge protector 60 is illustratedsecured to an edge of goods by a band 74, as well as to FIGS. 4-7, whichshow various other views of the edge protector 60 in FIG. 3 prior tobeing bent into an angle shape. With reference to FIG. 3, there is shownan edge protector 60 secured under a band 74 and over an edge of a stackor coil of representative goods. The edge protector 60 has twosubstantially planar face portions 62 and 64 that are joined along acommon line or edge 63, and which extend from their common edge 63 at anangle relative to one another. By “planar,” it is meant that each of theface portions 62 and 64 principally has a planar expanse (i.e. in twodimensions), with the understanding that each face portion also willhave a thickness of a relatively minor magnitude compared to the planarexpanse, and also that additional features can be provided that extendaway from the planar expanse of each face portion, such as the pathguides and the locking tabs described below. The angle between the twoface portions 62 and 64 is selected to correspond to and accommodate theangle of the particular edge over which the edge protector 60 is to befitted in use. For most applications, e.g. where the edges of stacked orcoiled goods will be approximately 90°, the angle between the two faceportions 62 and 64 of the edge protector correspondingly will beprovided at approximately 90°. In this embodiment, the angle betweenface portions 62 and 64 forms an L-shape. In a further embodiment, theangle between the face portions 62 and 64 is slightly greater than theangle of the edge over which the edge protector 60 will be installed.For example, where the edge protector 60 is to be provided over asubstantially right-angle (90°) edge, the angle between the faceportions 62 and 64 is slightly greater than 90°, such as 92-105, 95-102,98-100, or about 100 degrees. This way, as the band 74 wrapped aroundthe goods and over the face portions 62 and 64 is tensioned, the tensileforce of that band 74 acts against, tending to compress, the slightlyoutward (away from the surface of the goods) projection of each of theface portions 62 and 64, thus forcing or urging the band 74 tightlyagainst the face portions and the underlying goods. As a result, in usethe band 74 and the edge protector 60 are tightly pressed against eachother so that they stay together, and the edge protector 60 is pressedtightly against the underlying goods making it less prone to beingshifted in transit.

In the alternative, the angle between surfaces 62 and 64 can be 85-115degrees (e.g. for a right-angle edge), or any other suitable angle toaccommodate any particular edge over which the edge protector 60 is tobe applied.

The face portion 62 in FIG. 3 has a pair of raised band path guides 66and 68 extending or protruding from the upper surface (facing away fromthe goods in use), away from the planar expanse of the face portion 62.The path guides 66 and 68 are aligned substantially longitudinallyrelative to the pathway of the band 74 over the face portion 62 in use,and are spaced laterally from one another a distance substantiallycorresponding to the width of the band 74. In this manner, the faceportion 62 will accommodate the band 74 in the flat or “valley” regionof its upper surface defined laterally between the path guides 66 and 68when the edge protector 60 is secured over an edge of underlying goodsvia the band 74. In the illustrated embodiment, the path guides 66 and68 are provided as raised portions or regions in the face portion 62,extending from and continuous with the upper surface of the face portion62. These path guides 66 and 68 can be provided, for example, bypressing from the under surface (facing the goods in use), using anappropriately or correspondingly shaped die, a sufficient degree so asto deflect the face portion 62 in the die-pressed regions to therebyprovide and define the raised path guides 66 and 68 extending from theupper surface thereof, and continuous therewith (see FIG. 6). Whenprovided according to the described method, the face portion 62 willhave valleys on its under surface corresponding to the raised pathguides 66 and 68 protruding from the upper surface, also seen in FIG. 6.

The path guides 66 and 68 are provided to keep the band 74 centered onthe face portion 62 of the edge protector 60, and also to prevent theband 74 from moving or shifting laterally during transport.

The second face portion 64, which is joined to and extends at an anglefrom the first face portion 62, has a pair of locking tabs 70, 72 thatextend from the upper surface thereof. In an example embodiment, thetabs 70 and 72 are provided by punching through from the under surfaceof the face portion 64, such that each tab 70 and 72 is punched out fromthe planar expanse of the face portion 64 but remains secured theretoand continuous therewith along an edge at the base of each tab, referredto herein as the base edge. The tabs 70 and 72 are punched such that thebase edges thereof are parallel and aligned substantially longitudinallyrelative to the pathway of the band 74 over the face portion 64 in use.The base edges of the tabs 70 and 72 also are spaced laterally from oneanother a distance substantially corresponding to the width of the band74, such that the band can be pressed against or in close proximity withthe upper surface of the second face portion 64, and then the tabs 70and 72 bent laterally inward, toward one another, over the band 74 suchthat the band 74 is secured between the upper surface of the faceportion 64 and the overlying tabs 70 and 72.

Initially, the tabs 70, 72 extend upward at a significant angle,preferably almost or about 90°, from the upper surface of the secondface portion 64 of the edge protector 60. This permits insertion of theband 74 between the extending tabs 70 and 72 so that it can be eitherpressed against or provided in close proximity with the upper surface ofthe face portion 64, in between the base edges of the opposing tabs 70and 72. In practice, the edge protector 60 first is positioned andaligned over the edge of the goods that is to be protected againstdamage from the tensioned band 74. The band 74 then is aligned over thefirst and second face portions 62 and 64 of the edge protector 60 andthen is tensioned down over the edge protector 60 as more fullydescribed below. Once the band 74 has been adequately tensioned over theface portion 64 so that it is received between the tabs 70 and 72, thetabs are bent toward one another over the underlying band 74 to securethe band 74 between the tabs and the upper surface of the face portion64. The tabs 70 and 72 can be bent or pressed downward using, e.g., ahammer, block, or other blunt tool or object.

Preferably the locking tabs 70, 72 are stamped from the second faceportion 64 such that they remain continuous with and extend from theupper surface of the second face portion 64, as most clearly illustratedin FIGS. 3 and 4, thus leaving a cut out of corresponding shape in theface portion 64 from which each of the tabs has been stamped. That is,it is preferred, though not required, the tabs are not separatelyprovided and then attached via other means such as being fused or weldedto the upper surface of face portion 64. In this embodiment, when thetabs are in the initial upright position and prior to installation ofthe band 74, one can see through the openings or cut outs in the faceportion 64 corresponding to each one of the tabs.

As evident from above, the tabs 70, 72 preferably are initially angledtoward one another, toward the center of the upper surface of faceportion 64 so as to form an acute angle between each tab and the uppersurface of the face portion 64. Preferably, the acute angle is slightlyless than 90 degrees, such as 60-89, 62-80, 65-75, or about 70 degrees.As such, the distance between the tips of the tabs 70, 72 is somewhatless than the width of the band 74, which will help prevent the band 74from coming out from between the tabs during installation, after it hasbeen inserted in between the tabs 70 and 72 but prior to bending thetabs thereover following tensioning of the band 74. Another benefit isthat because the band 74 is loosely secured between the tabs prior tocomplete or final tensioning, the edge protector 60 itself is lesslikely to become dislodged or ejected from between the band and the edgeof the goods before the band is fully tightened. Another advantageousfeature is that even when the tabs are fully secured (bent) over thetensioned band 74, the band 74 still has the freedom to slidelongitudinally (translate) over the edge protector 60, through thepassage defined between the upper surface of face portion 64 and thetabs 70, 72, but not laterally with respect thereto. This isadvantageous, e.g., if it is desirable first to secure an appropriatenumber of edge protectors to a band 74 (corresponding to the number ofedges over the goods that the band will traverse when secured thereto),and then to position the band, with attached edge protectors, over thegoods prior to final tensioning the band 74.

The locking tabs 70, 72 are formed in or provided to the second faceportion 64 in such a way that the planar expanse of the face portion 64remains present and substantially intact, except for the two relativelysmall cut out portions in the face portion 64 corresponding in dimensionto the respective tabs 70 and 72, from which those tabs have beenstamped. In other words, except for the cut out portions from which thetabs 70 and 72 are stamped, the face portion 64 is continuous and intactin the region between the tabs 70 and 72. Alternatively, if the tabs 70and 72 are to be separately provided to the upper surface of the faceportion 64, such as by brazing or welding, then the face portion 64 canbe completely continuous and intact in the region between the tabs. As aresult of this construction, the underlying goods, such as a steel coil,are significantly protected from contact with and damage from the band.As a band 74 is tensioned around a coil, a stack of metal sheets orother goods, the band presses against the goods with the most force atthe edges. Thus, shielding the goods underlying the edge protector 60from the band is desirable. Also, as noted above once the band 74 is inplace between the tabs 70 and 72, those tabs typically are bent over theband 74 by hammering with a hammer, a block or other blunt tool orobject. The substantially continuous planar expanse of the face portion64 in between the tabs 70 and 72, which it will be understood is inbetween the band 74 and the underlying goods, protects and shields thegoods from being damaged when the tabs 70 and 72 are pounded down.Otherwise, the band 74, which typically has relatively sharp edges, orthe hammering tool itself may be knocked into the underlying goods andcause damage. Shielding the underlying material or goods from the band74 and from the hammering tool or object used to pound the tabssignificantly reduces the potential for damage to the surface of theunderlying material.

The preferred shape of the locking tabs 70 and 72 is a square orrectangle. A square or rectangle shape provides the largest tab areaover the underlying band when the tab is hammered down, thus providing amore dependable means to secure the edge protector to the band. However,the tabs 70, 72 may be triangular, crescent or any other shape capableof being tapped down over an underlying band.

The edge protector described herein presents many benefits. For example,the edge protector 60 improves the stability of a band by providing aconsistent alignment that will eliminate potential shearing or shiftingof the band during transport. The edge protector 60 also protects theouter laps or edges of a coil or sheet stack, thereby eliminatingexcessive scrap of damaged goods. Less scrap leads to more usablematerial, which results in more products being manufactured, improvedproductivity, increased profits and a lower cost to the consumer.Another significant benefit of the edge protector 60 is that it willremain secured to the tensioned band after the band is cut to releasethe goods due to the engagement of the locking tabs 70, 72, thuseliminating potential hazards on a manufacturing floor. Conventionaledge protectors fall to and scatter on the floor after the bands areremoved from around the banded goods, as noted above. Edge protectorsscattered about the floor, such as in a manufacturing plant or a steelmill, can easily find their way under the feet of workers, intoexpensive operating equipment, under the wheels of tow motors, etc.Indeed, conventional edge protectors scattered over the floor has been aserious safety hazard in steel mills. By eliminating edge protectorsfrom falling to the floor, workers will have a safer working environmentand manufacturers will see reduced clean-up costs, reduced equipmentrepair costs and enhanced life span of processing equipment.

By remaining attached to the band, the edge protector 60 provides abenefit to the environment as well. Bands, whether composed of metal orplastic, are often recycled after being used. Thus, because the edgeprotector remains attached to the band, recycling of edge protectors isassured. For this reason, it is desirable that the edge protector 60 bemade from the same material or from a compatible material for recyclingpurposes as the band 74 to which it will be secured. For example, asteel edge protector is preferred when steel bands are to be used. Whena plastic band is to be used, preferably the edge protector 60 is madefrom the same type of plastic as the band, or alternatively from acompatible class of plastic so they can be recycled together. Ensuringthe recycling of edge protectors benefits the environment and reducesscrap costs to the manufacturer.

In addition to the applications in which the edge protector 60 can beused as discussed above, other uses include, but are not limited to,protecting the edges of a stack of plywood, sheetrock, drywall, lumber,trusses, cardboard, packaging materials, etc. Edge protectors of thepresent invention can be used with steel or other banding (lesspreferably plastic or fiber-reinforced plastic banding) wherever suchbanding is used to band together items or goods such as equipment orhardware, whether alone or to a pallet as known in the art. Broadly, anygood or goods that is/are palletized, as well as any goods that arebanded with steel or other bands, can utilize the edge protectorsdescribed herein to protect the edges thereof from high-tension bands,and to keep those bands in place during transport.

Alternatively, the edge protector 60 described herein also can be usedwith other forms of binding, such as rope, wire, cord, etc. It will beunderstood that the lateral distance between both the path guides 66 and68 and the locking tabs 70 and 72 can be varied to accommodate whateverform and dimension of binding is used. Alternatively, if a binding suchas cord, wire or twine is to be used, which has no significant widthcompared to its height, then the locking tabs 70 and 72 can bepositioned at substantially the same lateral location, preferablycentral of the face portion 64, but spaced longitudinally from oneanother so that the cord, wire or twine is held down against the uppersurface of the face portion 64 by the successive tabs 70 and 72 whichare bent thereover from opposite lateral directions.

The edge protector 60 can be offered or supplied in a variety of sizesand configurations, for compatibility with a variety of forms and sizesof bindings, such as different widths and materials for bands 74, aswell as for other forms of binding such as cord, rope or twine.

For example, for steel bands 74, the edge protector 60 can be suppliedin two sizes to accommodate the two common widths of steel banding −¾inch and 1¼ inch width steel banding.

In an example embodiment, the edge protector is made from a sheet metalblank measuring 2½ inches wide×3⅝ inches long× 1/32 inch thick, with ⅜inch radius corners. The respective first and second face portions 62and 64 are provided by bending the blank at the center of the 3⅝ inchlength dimension, to form their common edge 63 referred to above, to a95-degree angle. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper surface of thefirst face portion 62, which is parallel with the underlying sheets ofgoods in the illustrated embodiment, has two raised path guides 66 and68, which in this embodiment are 1/16 inch in height, 1 inch in lengthand are spaced 1⅜ inches, or slightly farther, apart to define a path ofcorresponding width for the band 74 (which measures 1¼ inches wide)between them over the upper surface of the first face portion 62. Thepath guides 66 and 68 are inset from the respective side edges of faceportion 62 a distance of about ¼ inch, and inset from the front edge(opposite the common edge 63 with second face portion 64) a distance ofabout ½ inch.

Continuing with the foregoing example embodiment, the second faceportion 64, which is perpendicular to the underlying sheets in FIG. 3,has two raised locking tabs 70 and 72 measuring 7/16 inch long and ¼inch wide. The locking tabs extend in their respective lengthwisedirections upward and away from the upper surface of the second faceportion 64, and initially (before being engaged over the band 74) areangled slightly toward the center of the face portion 64, toward oneanother. For example, each of the locking tabs 70 and 72 can be angledinward toward the other at an angle of about 70° from the upper surfaceof the face portion 64. The tabs are spaced apart approximately 1⅜inches, or slightly more, from one another measured from the base edgesof each of the tabs, which are common to the face portion 64, toaccommodate the band 74 (measuring 1¼ inches wide) therebetween. Thebase edges of the tabs are inset from the respective side edges of theface portion 64 a distance of 9/16 inch, and inset from the front edgethereof (opposite the common edge 63 with the first face portion 62) adistance of 13/16 inch.

In another example embodiment, suitable for a band 74 measuring ¾ incheswide, the edge protector 60 is made from a sheet metal blank thatmeasures 2 inches wide×3⅝ inches long× 1/32 inch thick and has ⅜ inchradius corners. The differences between this embodiment and theimmediately preceding embodiment are that here the edge protector 60 hasa width of 2 inches, and the spacing between the path guides 66 and 68and between the locking tabs 70 and 72 are different. Here, the pathguides and the tabs are spaced ⅞ inch, or slightly further, apart.

When banding a coil, such as steel, the edge protectors 60 can beinstalled as follows. Loop the band 74 through the eye 40 of the coil10; tension the band 74 just enough to allow the edge protectors 60 tobe set in place with the banding 74 between the two locking tabs 70, 72in their initial, raised position. Tension the band 74 to the desiredfinal tension. Using a hammer or similar device, hammer the tabs 70, 72down to secure the edge protector 60 to the band 74 as shown in FIG. 3.The edge protectors 60 can be installed with bands around a stack ofsheets, or around a coil or other goods, in a similar manner. As shownin FIG. 3, it is desirable that the face portion 64 that has the tabs70, 72 is positioned so that it extends from the edge of the underlyinggoods over a surface of the goods defined by a plurality of edges ofsheets or layers of the goods, and not over the flat surface or face ofa single sheet or layer of the goods. This is because when the tabs arehammered down, the edges of individual sheets or layers of goods, e.g.steel, can absorb the impact without appreciable damage, but the face orflat surface of a sheet or layer could be more significantly damagedfrom hammering. Alternatively, if the tab-containing face portion 64 isto be positioned over the flat surface of a material (steel) sheet orlayer of the underlying goods, care should be taken when hammering downthe tabs so as not to damage the underlying steel or other material.

Although the above-described embodiments constitute preferredembodiments, it will be understood that various changes or modificationscan be made thereto without departing from the spirit and the scope ofthe present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

1. An edge protector comprising a first face portion and a second faceportion extending at an angle from the first face portion, and a pair oflocking tabs extending from an upper surface of said second face portionfrom respective base edges of said locking tabs, said base edges beingspaced apart to accommodate a band therebetween over said upper surfaceof said second face portion in use, said second face portion beingsubstantially continuous and intact in a region between the lockingtabs.
 2. An edge protector according to claim 1 said locking tabs beingstamped from said second face portion such that each of said tabs iscontinuous therewith, and such that said region of said second faceportion between said locking tabs is continuous and intact except for apair of cut outs in said second face portion corresponding to the shapeof the respective locking tabs, from which said pair of locking tabs hasbeen stamped.
 3. An edge protector according to claim 1, each of saidlocking tabs having the shape of a square or a rectangle.
 4. An edgeprotector according to claim 1, said pair of locking tabs being angledtoward one another so as to form an acute angle between each of saidtabs and the upper surface of said second face portion.
 5. An edgeprotector according to claim 4, said acute angle being 60-89° for eachof said locking tabs.
 6. An edge protector according to claim 1, saidlocking tabs being capable of being bent down over said band in use soas to secure said band between said upper surface of said second faceportion and said locking tabs overlying said band.
 7. An edge protectoraccording to claim 6, said locking tabs being of sufficient length as toeffectively secure said band to said edge protector in use after saidtabs are bent down over said band.
 8. An edge protector according toclaim 1, said edge protector being made of metal.
 9. An edge protectoraccording to claim 1, said edge protector being made of steel.
 10. Anedge protector according to claim 1, the angle between said first andsaid second face portions being 85-115 degrees.
 11. An edge protectoraccording to claim 1, further comprising a pair of raised band pathguides extending from an upper surface of said first face portion, saidpath guides being spaced laterally from one another to accommodate saidband in a region defined between said path guides over said uppersurface of said first face portion in use.
 12. An edge protectoraccording to claim 11, said path guides being provided as raisedportions of said first face portion, extending from and continuous withthe upper surface thereof.
 13. An edge protector according to claim 11,said path guides being provided as deflected regions of the first faceportion, which protrude from the upper surface thereof, and which arecontinuous with the remainder of said first face portion.
 14. Acombination comprising an edge protector secured to a length of bindingmaterial, said edge protector comprising a first face portion and asecond face portion extending at an angle from the first face portion,and a pair of locking tabs extending from an upper surface of saidsecond face portion, said locking tabs being engaged over said bindingmaterial to secure it to said edge protector, said edge protector andsaid binding material being made from the same material or frommaterials that are compatible for recycling.
 15. A combination accordingto claim 14, said binding material being a band.
 16. A combinationaccording to claim 15, said locking tabs extending from respective baseedges at the upper surface of said second face portion, said band beingaccommodated over said upper surface of said second face portion betweensaid base edges of said locking tabs, said locking tabs being bent oversaid band to thereby secure it between the upper surface of said secondportion and said locking tabs overlying said band.
 17. A combinationaccording to claim 16, said band being slidable over said edgeprotector, through a passage defined between said upper surface of saidsecond face portion and said tabs engaged over said band.
 18. Acombination according to claim 14, said second face portion beingsubstantially continuous and intact in a region between the lockingtabs.
 19. A combination according to claim 18, said locking tabs beingstamped from said second face portion such that each of said tabs iscontinuous therewith, and such that said region of said second faceportion between said locking tabs is continuous and intact except for apair of cut outs in said second face portion corresponding to the shapeof the respective locking tabs, from which said pair of locking tabs hasbeen stamped.
 20. A combination according to claim 14, furthercomprising a pair of raised path guides extending from an upper surfaceof said first face portion, said path guides being spaced laterally fromone another to accommodate said binding material in a region definedbetween said path guides over said upper surface of said first faceportion.
 21. A combination according to claim 20, said path guides beingprovided as raised portions of said first face portion, extending fromand continuous with the upper surface thereof.
 22. A combinationaccording to claim 20, said path guides being provided as deflectedregions of the first face portion, which protrude from the upper surfacethereof, and which are continuous with the remainder of said first faceportion.
 23. A combination according to claim 14, further comprising anassembly of banded goods having a first surface of the goods and asecond surface of the goods intersecting at an edge of the goods, saidedge protector being provided against said edge of the goods such thatsaid first and second face portions of said edge protector extend overrespective surfaces of the goods that intersect at the edge of thegoods, said binding material being tensioned against said edgeprotector, thereby securing said edge protector in place against saidedge of the goods, such that said binding material follows a pathwayaround said edge protector, said binding material passing over saidfirst face portion, and over said second face portion between said baseedges of said locking tabs extending from the upper surface thereof. 24.A combination according to claim 23, further comprising a pair of raisedpath guides spaced laterally from one another and extending from anupper surface of said first face portion of said edge protector, saidbinding material being accommodated and passing over said first faceportion between said path guides extending from the upper surfacethereof.
 25. A combination according to claim 23, the angle between saidfirst and second face portions of said edge protector being slightlygreater than the angle between the surfaces of the goods that intersectat and define the edge of the goods, such that tensile force of saidtensioned binding material tends to compress each of said face portions,thus forcing the binding material more tightly against said faceportions and against the underlying assembly of goods.
 26. A combinationaccording to claim 23, said binding material being a metal band, saidedge protector being made of metal.
 27. A combination according to claim23, said binding material being a steel band, said edge protector beingmade of steel.
 28. A combination according to claim 23, said assembly ofgoods being a steel coil, said edge of the goods being a coil edgeformed at the intersection of a first coil surface defined by a sheet ofsteel that has been wound into said coil, and a second coil surfacedefined by edges of a plurality of windings of said sheet of steel thathas been wound into said coil.
 29. A combination according to claim 28,said first face portion of said edge protector being provided extendingover said first coil surface and said second face portion of said edgeprotector extending over said second coil surface.